UK Proposed Civil Partnership Visa UK
The Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK is designed for individuals engaged to a British citizen or a person settled in the UK who wishes to enter the country to register a civil partnership. This temporary visa requires applicants to demonstrate their intention to finalise the civil partnership within six months of arrival in the UK.
At Axis Solicitors, our experienced solicitors are dedicated to providing expert legal support throughout your Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK application process.
How to Apply for Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK?
If you are engaged to a British citizen or a person with settled status in the UK and plan to form a civil partnership in the United Kingdom, you may qualify for a Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK. It is required to apply from outside the UK, and the visa does not directly lead to settlement. However, it opens the path to extend your stay and eventually apply for indefinite leave to remain after the partnership is registered.
For help with preparing or reviewing your Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK application, contact Axis Solicitors. Our solicitors have very high rates of success in all forms of family visa applications, because of the detailed oriented approach and tailored advice.
Eligibility Criteria for Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK
- Partner Status: Your partner must meet specific criteria, including citizenship, settled status, or holding specific visas.
- Age: Both partners must be over 18.
- Relationship: Must be genuine, having met in person, with intent to live together in the UK.
- Financial Stability: Proof of adequate maintenance without public funds.
- Accommodation: Sufficient living arrangement for you and any dependents.
- English Proficiency: Required level of understanding and speaking English.
The Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK is for individuals engaged to:
- British or Irish citizens.
- Persons settled in the UK (those with indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or proof of permanent residence).
- Individuals holding a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish worker visa.
- Individuals granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.
Important Note: Specific requirements may vary slightly depending on individual circumstances. For personalised guidance, consider consulting an immigration solicitor.
What are the Requirements for Civil Partner Visa UK?
To be eligible for a Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK, you must meet the following criteria:
Your Partner:
- Holds British or Irish citizenship.
- Settled status, indefinite leave to remain, and proof of permanent residence in the UK.
- Possesses a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa.
- Has been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.
Relationship:
- Both you and your partner are over 18 years old.
- You have had a face-to-face meeting.
- Your connection is authentic and continuous.
- You plan to formalise a civil partnership in the UK within half a year of your entry.
- Any previous relationships have permanently ended.
- You both plan to live together permanently in the UK.
Financial and Living Arrangements:
- You can financially support yourself and any dependents without relying on public funds.
- You have adequate accommodation arrangements for you and any dependents.
English Language:
- You have the required level of English language proficiency.
Important Note: Specific requirements may vary slightly depending on individual circumstances. For personalised guidance, consider consulting an immigration solicitor
Your Partner’s Eligibility as a Sponsor
For you to qualify for a Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK, your partner must meet one of the following requirements:
- Nationality: Must be a resident of the UK with British or Irish citizenship.
- Residential Status: Possess indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or evidence of permanent residency in the UK.
- Pre-Settled Status: Have pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (Appendix EU).
- Turkish Worker: Holds limited leave to remain as a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker (Appendix ECAA).
- Refugee Status: Holds UK refugee leave or has humanitarian protection status.
Important Notes:
- If your partner is a British citizen coming to the UK with you, they also fulfil the sponsorship requirement.
- A person granted indefinite leave to remain at the same time as your application is also considered a valid sponsor.
Minimum Age Requirement
Both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old when you submit your Proposed Civil Partner Visa application
Relationship Requirements for Proposed Civil Partner Visa
Two important requirements for a Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK are having met in person at some point and proving a genuine relationship.
Requirement to Have Met in Person
For a Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK, you and your proposed civil partner must have met in person. This requirement means you must show evidence of face-to-face meetings that led to the development of your mutual relationship.
Merely coming face-to-face once, followed by telephone or written contact, may not properly satisfy the Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK requirements.
Genuine Relationship Requirement
To qualify for a Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK, you must provide the Home Office with evidence that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. The Home Office assesses each case individually, considering all available evidence and personal circumstances.
Key Factors Considered
When determining if your relationship is genuine and subsisting, the Home Office may consider:
- The duration and seriousness of your relationship.
- Whether you and your proposed civil partner have lived together or are currently living together.
- Whether you share responsibilities for any children (biological, adopted, or step-children).
- Whether you share financial responsibilities.
- Visits to each other’s home countries and family members.
- Definite plans regarding living together in the UK.
If the Home Office doubts the authenticity of your relationship, they may conduct further checks, interviews, or arrange a home visit.
Documents Required
To prove your relationship is genuine and subsisting, the Home Office will expect compelling evidence of regular contact, affection, companionship, emotional support, and mutual interest in each other’s welfare.
Evidence of cohabitation is typically required, ideally with documents in both names jointly. Alternatively, documents addressed to you both individually at the same address are acceptable. These documents should be recent and may come from various sources. While official documents are preferred, other documents proving cohabitation can also be submitted if official ones are not available.
If you have not lived together or have only done so for a short period, you may still provide unofficial evidence of your relationship.
Should the Home Office have doubts about the authenticity of your relationship, they may conduct further checks, interviews and home visits. If they find reasonable grounds to doubt that your relationship is genuine or ongoing, your Proposed Civil Partner Visa application may be refused.
Intention to Live Together
Given that Proposed Civil Partner Visas are valid for six months, you must provide evidence of your intent to register your civil partnership within this timeframe. This includes showing planning and arrangements for your civil partnership.
Assistance With Applications
For help with preparing or reviewing your Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK application, contact Axis Solicitors. Our solicitors have very high rates of success in all forms of family visa applications, because of how detailed oriented we are in collecting documentation and compiling portfolios of supporting evidence.
Accommodation Requirements for Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK
To qualify for this visa, you must prove you and your partner will have suitable housing in the UK without needing government assistance.
- Ownership or Exclusive Access: You must either own the property or have the exclusive right to live there. You need to provide evidence such as a lease or mortgage agreement to prove this.
- Adequate Space: The accommodation must not be overcrowded. Overcrowding is defined by the number of people and rooms, excluding bathrooms and kitchens. Evidence of the property size and the number of occupants will be needed.
- Meets Health Standards: The property must comply with all public health regulations, ensuring it’s safe and habitable.
Evidence
- Ownership/Exclusive Access: Provide documents like title deeds, mortgage agreements, or a lease. If you live with family, a letter from them confirming your residence is acceptable.
- Adequate Space: Submit evidence of the property’s size (floor plan, estate agent details) and the number of occupants.
- Health Standards: An inspection report or confirmation from the local council might be needed.
Additional Considerations
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs): May need a letter from the local council confirming no objections to an additional resident.
- Private Tenancies: Require detailed documentation, including rent payment history and a letter from the landlord/agency.
Property Inspections: The Home Office may request a professional inspection if there are concerns about the accommodation.
We are experienced in ensuring your documentation demonstrates that your accommodation meets all requirements.
UK Proposed Civil Visa English Language Requirements
As part of your UK Proposed Civil Partner Visa application, you must demonstrate proficiency in the English language unless exempt.
Initial and Subsequent Requirements
Initial Application: When applying for entry clearance on the Proposed Civil Partner Visa route, you must demonstrate competence in the English language to at least CEFR level A1.
Further Leave to Remain: Once you switch to the civil partner route and apply for further leave to remain after holding leave as a civil partner for 2.5 years, you must demonstrate competence to at least CEFR level A2.
How to Meet the English Language Requirement
You can fulfil the English language requirement through one of the following ways:
Nationality
- Being a citizen of a majority English-speaking country.
Approved English Language Test
- Passing an approved English language test at or above the required CEFR level with an approved provider. The list of approved tests and test centres can be found on the Home Office website.
Academic Qualifications
Holding a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree awarded in the UK.
If the degree is awarded outside the UK, it must be recognised by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) as meeting or exceeding UK standards and confirmed to have been taught or researched in English at the required CEFR level.
Exemptions From the English Language Requirement
You may be exempt from the English language requirement if you can demonstrate one of the following:
Age: You are over 65 years old at the time of application.
Disability: You have a physical or mental disability that prevents you from meeting the English language requirement.
Exceptional Circumstances: There are exceptional circumstances that prevent you from satisfying the English language requirement before entering the UK.
Exceptional Circumstances
In certain situations, you might be exempt from the English language requirement due to:
Long-term residency in a conflict zone.
Residence in a country without approved English language tests.
Being a full-time carer of a disabled child.
These cases are assessed individually, and other similar situations may also qualify for exemption.
Exemptions for Certain Nationalities
Nationals of the following countries are exempt from meeting the English language requirement:
USA
Australia
New Zealand
Canada
Grenada
Belize
Barbados
Antigua and Barbuda
The Bahamas
Dominica
Jamaica
Guyana
Ireland (for citizenship only)
St Lucia
St Kitts and Nevis
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Consequences of Not Meeting the Requirement
If you cannot demonstrate that you meet the English language requirement or qualify for an exemption, your Proposed Civil Partner Visa application may be refused.
How to Prepare your Application for Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK?
Embarking on the application process for a UK Proposed Civil Partner Visa involves a number of steps.
- Verify that you fulfil all the eligibility requirements for the visa.
- Collect all required documents that validate your eligibility.
- Use the designated application form available online to apply.
- Proceed to pay the applicable visa application fee.
- Schedule and attend a biometric appointment for identity verification.
- Wait for the decision on your visa application.
At Axis Solicitors, our experienced immigration solicitors provide comprehensive support throughout your UK visa application.
Which Documents are Needed for Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK?
1. Core Application Requirements
- Completed application form with the correct Home Office fee paid.
- Current valid passport plus any previous passports.
- Biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) submitted as required.
2. Relationship Evidence
- Proof of a genuine and subsisting relationship (e.g. photos, correspondence, shared bills).
- Letters of support or references confirming the relationship.
- Divorce certificates if either partner was previously married
3. English Language & Health Requirements
- CEFR A1 English certificate for the initial application (A2 for further leave).
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results if applying from a listed country.
- Exemptions applied only where permitted under Home Office rules.
4. Financial & Accommodation Evidence
- Proof of meeting the financial requirement (£29,600 gross annual income as of July 2024, unless exempt).
- Evidence such as payslips, bank statements, or other financial records.
- Proof of suitable UK accommodation (tenancy agreement, property documents, or host letter).
5. Background & Immigration History
- Details of any previous UK immigration applications.
- Disclosure of any criminal convictions, if applicable.
- National Insurance number, if you already have one.
How to Prove Financial Eligibility for a Proposed Civil Partner Visa
After 5 years of lawful residence in the UK on a UK Spouse Visa, you may apply for ILR. To qualify for ILR under the Spouse Visa route, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Salaried or non-salaried income from your partner (or you with UK work permission).
- Rental income, dividends, pensions (state, occupational, or private).
- Earnings from self-employment or as an employee of a qualifying UK company.
- Savings over £16,000 held for at least six months by you, your partner, or jointly.
- £88,500 is required if relying solely on savings to meet the requirement.
- Different income types and savings can be combined to reach the threshold.
- (£Total savings – £16,000) ÷ 2.5 = annual income equivalent used by the Home Office.
Note: Funds must be immediately accessible and can be spread across multiple personal accounts, subject to investment restrictions.
Financial Requirements for a UK Proposed Civil Partner Visa
1. Purpose of the Financial Requirement
- Ensures applicants can support themselves without relying on public funds.
- Applies unless a valid exemption or exceptional circumstance exists.
- Assessed under strict Home Office rules and evidence standards.
2. Minimum Income Threshold
- Gross annual income must meet the required threshold unless exempt.
- Set at £29,000 under earlier rules and updated to £29,600 as of July 2024.
- Income can be from the sponsor alone or jointly if both are lawfully in the UK.
3. No Separate Child Element
- The minimum income requirement no longer increases for dependent children.
- A single financial threshold applies regardless of family size.
- Adequate maintenance may still be assessed in benefit-based cases.
4. When the Requirement Must Be Met
- On initial application as a proposed civil partner.
- When extending stay as a civil partner.
- When applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
5. State Benefits & Adequate Maintenance
- Different rules apply if the sponsor receives qualifying state benefits.
- Instead of fixed income, you must prove “maintenance and accommodation.”
- Applicants must still demonstrate no reliance on public funds.
6. Financial Evidence & Common Refusals
- Specific documents are required under the Immigration Rules.
- Applicants bear full responsibility for proving financial compliance.
- Missing or incorrect financial evidence is a leading cause of refusal.
7. Financial Requirement Exemptions
- If the sponsor has certain benefits (e.g. DLA, PIP, IIDB, Armed Forces, etc).
- The £29,600 minimum income threshold does not apply in these cases.
- Proof of sufficient funds and suitable accommodation is still mandatory.
8. Exceptional Circumstances (Article 8 ECHR)
- Considered where refusal would breach the right to family life.
- Include serious medical needs, humanitarian risks, or significant hardship.
- Assessed case by case using other credible financial resources.
